Australian legal help
for Malaysian clients.
Collins Quarters is a global law firm registered in Melbourne. We help Malaysian individuals, families and businesses buy property, invest, set up and move to Australia, all handled remotely from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru or wherever you are.
Your Australian matter, handled from Malaysia
Malaysian clients come to us when they need Australian legal work: buying property, getting FIRB approval, setting up or acquiring a business, launching a franchise, moving to Australia, or dealing with family and estate matters that touch both countries.
We are a global law firm with a registered office in Melbourne and a back office in Chennai, India. You do not need to visit us: consultations happen by video call, documents are signed electronically and you receive written advice and fee estimates.
Where part of your matter is governed by Malaysian law, such as Bank Negara foreign exchange rules or a Malaysian company approval, we tell you upfront and work alongside qualified Malaysian counsel so both sides of the transaction line up.
Global Firm, Remote by Design
- Global law firm registered in Melbourne, Australia
- Consultations by video call at times that suit Malaysian business hours
- Documents signed electronically, so there is no need to travel
- Shared Commonwealth legal heritage makes Malaysia–Australia work straightforward
- Malaysian-law questions referred to qualified Malaysian counsel where needed
- Fixed or capped fees, quoted in writing before work starts
What we help Malaysian clients with
The Australian legal work Malaysian individuals, families and businesses ask us about most often.
Buying Australian Property
FIRB applications, foreign purchaser duty, contract review and settlement for Malaysian buyers and developers acquiring Australian real estate.
- FIRB approval
- Foreign purchaser duty
- Contract review & settlement
Setting Up in Australia
Company registration, shareholder and joint venture agreements, contracts and governance for Malaysian businesses establishing an Australian presence.
- Company set-up
- Shareholder & JV agreements
- Commercial contracts
Acquisitions & Investment
Buy-side due diligence, deal structuring and FIRB screening for Malaysian groups acquiring Australian businesses or assets.
- Due diligence
- Deal structuring
- FIRB screening
Franchising into Australia
Franchising Code compliance, disclosure documents, master franchise structures and trade mark registration for Malaysian brands entering Australia.
- Franchising Code
- Disclosure documents
- Trade marks
Visas & Sponsorship
Skilled, employer-sponsored, partner, family and business visas for Malaysians moving to Australia, plus sponsorship for employers bringing staff over.
- Skilled & sponsored visas
- Partner & family visas
- Employer sponsorship
Family, Wills & Disputes
Australian wills and estates, family law and commercial disputes where assets, family members or counterparties are in Malaysia.
- Wills with overseas assets
- Cross-border family law
- Commercial disputes
Sectors We Serve
Malaysian clients most often come to us from these industries.
Residential and commercial developments, REITs, and property trusts
Franchise expansion, food manufacturing, and hospitality ventures
Universities, VET providers, and EdTech platforms
Hotel management, tourism ventures, and hospitality brands
Aged care, medical devices, and pharmaceutical distribution
Fintech, investment structures and cross-border banking
Malaysia-Australia Legal Questions Answered
Yes. Malaysian entities and individuals are treated as "foreign persons" for FIRB purposes and generally require approval before acquiring Australian real estate. Residential land acquisitions require approval regardless of value, and commercial real estate is screened above the relevant monetary threshold. FIRB approval for residential development sites typically includes conditions on how completed dwellings are sold. We prepare and manage FIRB applications for Malaysian buyers and property groups.
Expanding a Malaysian franchise into Australia involves several legal streams that we manage together: complying with the Franchising Code of Conduct; drafting franchise agreements and disclosure documents; structuring the Australian master franchise entity; registering trade marks through IP Australia; and setting up compliant employment frameworks for franchisee staff.
Common pathways include skilled visas (such as subclasses 189, 190 and 491), employer-sponsored visas (such as the Skills in Demand 482 and 186), partner and family visas, and the National Innovation visa (subclass 858) for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement. The Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) program closed to new applications in July 2024. MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) is a Malaysian program and is not an Australian visa. We assess your situation and recommend the pathway that fits.
Malaysia has foreign exchange controls administered by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and Malaysian residents must comply with BNM's Foreign Exchange Policy Notices when remitting funds abroad. Larger investments may require BNM approval. Australia's AML/CTF framework also requires proper documentation of the source of funds. We handle the Australian side and work alongside Malaysian advisors on the BNM side so both countries' requirements are met.
Yes. Most Malaysian clients never visit our office. We meet by video call, documents are signed electronically and you receive written advice and fee estimates. Where an original signature or certified document is needed, we explain exactly how to arrange it in Malaysia.
Related Services & Reading
Need Australian legal advice from Malaysia?
Tell us about your property, business, visa or family matter. We reply with clear next steps and a written fee estimate.